Iqbal Athas

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For
a good historical perspective on the abuse of journalists in Sri Lanka, Iqbal
Athas, the recipient of a 1994 International Press Freedom Award from CPJ, wrote a center-page
spread for the 25th anniversary edition of the Sunday Times, a popular weekly in Colombo. Athas, a critical
journalist who specializes in defense issues, works as an associate editor and
defense correspondent for the Times.

The lede to his article recounts a 1998 incident in which armed men invaded his home while he, his wife, and their seven-year-old daughter watched television. After the men left, the story spread, and all night, they received phone calls from friends and acquaintances inquiring about their safety. In his article, Athas describes how one of the callers was then-Minister of Fisheries Mahinda Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa was trying to make a name for himself as a champion of human rights and offered his support to the Athas family.